During a violent storm last November, the Spirit of Discovery cruise ship encountered force-11 winds and massive 30-foot waves while passing through the Bay of Biscay on its way back to the UK. The intense weather caused the ship to lose propulsion, resulting in violent swaying that left over 100 passengers injured. According to a newly released interim report, eight of these passengers were hospitalized upon reaching Portsmouth, and tragically, one passenger later died due to their injuries.
Passengers described the terrifying experience of trying to hold on “for dear life” as the ship was battered by the storm. Footage captured by one passenger showed massive waves slamming into the ship’s exterior, while the crew broadcasted a “Code Alpha”—signaling a medical emergency on board. Alan Grisedale, a passenger who filmed the ordeal, revealed that his wife was knocked over due to the ship’s erratic movement. Another passenger, Jan Bendall, described the incident as “quite frightening,” especially for elderly passengers or those isolated in their cabins.
Following the incident, the ship’s operator, Saga, expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and issued a full refund to everyone on board. In a statement, the company reiterated its commitment to cooperating with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, which is leading the investigation into the storm-related incident.
The storm caused substantial damage within the ship, including smashed glass and upturned furniture, as seen in several circulating images and videos. Passengers who endured the chaos recalled the frightening moments during the ship’s struggle to regain control, highlighting the risks and vulnerabilities faced at sea during extreme weather conditions.
